Archive for the ‘Mens Health’ Category

Almost everybody’s wishlist includes hitting the gym, dieting, and getting fit. No wonder that a long list of diet crazes seems to emerge as often as the latest style and fashion trends set in. Over the recent years, people especially women, are becoming predisposed to think that the ultra-thin bodies of models who walk the runway are the new standard of beauty and fitness, leading most to crash diet and lose too much weight too fast. On the opposite end, there are also those who suffer to another very real health problem nowadays which is obesity. This is due mostly to the abounding of junk foods and sweet treats that people indulge in which have driven junk and sugar cravings out of control. In addition to this is the thriving of fast food phenomenon in today’s society which has lead to a lifestyle of people thinking that a balanced diet is composed of a large soda, burger and fries. So it’s about time we get the lowdown on fad diets and reveal what really works to stay lean for life.

The safest way to having and maintaining a healthy and lean body will remain to be the basics: eating healthy and engaging in a meaningful physical activity. Eating healthy means consuming the recommended daily quantities of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. The body needs a daily supply of all of these nutrients to avoid disordered metabolism that may lead to serious deficiencies and diseases. However, it is recommended to eat the following in moderation: dairy products, sugary foods like cakes and chocolates, refined foods such as white breads and white sugar, fried and fatty foods, crisps and chips, carbonated drinks, jams and preserves. Furthermore, health experts advise to eating a hearty breakfast, a substantial lunch, and a light supper. This is mainly due to the fact that little to no physical activity is most likely to happen in the evening.

Another sure way to having a healthy and lean body is through exercise. Exercise or any other forms of physical activity brings beneficial effects to our bodies. First off, improved blood circulation is achieved from moving. A lifestyle of engaging in exercise keeps one’s figure toned, and weight maintained at the proper level. This would result to a stronger, more agile, and healthier body. There are many physical activities to choose from like walking, running, team sports (basketball, badminton, tennis, etc), dancing, yoga, and many more. To choose the best one for you, engage in something that suits your lifestyle and meets your goals.

Staying lean and healthy for life is possible by being consistent and disciplined with our food choices and exercise. As the word “diet” comes from the Greek word “diaiata” which means “a manner of living” , our goal to achieve a lean body should be a lifestyle and a way of life.

Overtraining syndrome happens when the body is exhausted beyond its capacity to recover resulting in a drop in performance. It is not detected immediately making it a difficult problem later on. One of the early signs of this syndrome is diminished performance. Without proper rest, muscles will become chronically sore causing easy fatigability. Physical injuries may also occur like stress fractures, muscle tears, prolonged feeling of heavy legs, among others.

Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment may go from simple rest to orthopedic operation. The best cure is still prevention and preparation to avoid injuries. Here are some practical tips that you can do whether you are an athlete or not to achieve proper physical training without injuries:

Know the basics. Research or consult seasoned athletes or coaches on the sport or any physical activity that you engage yourself with. For example, basic knowledge in running should include stretches, warm-ups, hydration, and race nutrition.

Improve in the long run. Focus on how your training can help you improve in the long run. Focus on endurance and stamina instead of speed and strength which you can later develop. This way, you can also help your body run for a longer period of time.

Allow your body to recover. Recovery is as vital as the training proper. Your body needs time to heal and rest from muscular and cardiovascular fatigue. Your body is your own indicator if you are already going beyond your limit. Take time to rest to help you feel stronger at the same time.

Influenza or flu is a highly contagious acute viral infection caused by the influenza virus that affects mainly the nose, throat, bronchi and occasionally , the lungs. The World Health Organization said that there are 3 types of seasonal influenza: type A, B, and C. Type A and B are the most common flu that is why they are included in seasonal influenza vaccines. Here are some helpful tips on how to prevent flu:

Increase fluid intake. Drinks lots of water and fruit juices to prevent dehydration. This way, you are also increasing your intake of Vitamin C which is very good to prevent flu.

Vaccination. This is the safest and best way to prevent flu and may be given as early as 6 months of age.

Wash hands frequently. This will help lessen the chance of transmitting any virus from hand to mouth, nose, or eyes.

Add caloric intake by switching from a soft diet to regular diet.

Cover mouth when coughing and sneezing to prevent the spread of viruses.

Get enough rest of 7 to 8 hours to strengthen your immune system.

Take in antipyretics like paracetamol every 4 hours for fever. If children experience fever for more than 3 days, it is best to seek your doctor.

People with unsightly dandruff or even those who do not wish to be afflicted by dandruff are always on the look out for the right treatment to finally end it and its source permanently. Dandruff is a result of a weak and damaged scalp that eventually becomes weak against a fungus called malassezia. While there are some solutions available over the counter to treat dandruff, there are some practical ways to banish this dreaded hair and scalp condition completely- right at its source. Here are some facts and tips to help you counteract dandruff:

Keep your scalp clean and healthy. Dandruff occurs following excessive shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. Use a medicated shampoo for dandruff that washes it away and treats your scalp as well to regain its optimum health. You can then opt for a mild shampoo and conditioner for everyday use to keep your scalp clean and healthy.

Watch your diet. Avoid foods that are too salty, spicy, or sweet. Refrain also from heavy alcohol intake as these can aggravate the condition of your hair and scalp.

Avoid stress. Stress always do not result into something good, so might as well ditch it. When one is stressed, an excessive production in sebum (oil secreted from skin glands) occurs, resulting to the growth of malassezia.

When shampooing, massage and improve blood circulation around the areas close to your ear and down the nape as these are the areas where dandruff tends to settle.

The air that we breath contains the basic gas oxygen and other gases that enters our bodies through the lungs. Oxygen then transfers to the bloodstream and goes into all our cells. Our respiratory organ is very vital and although there are no foods that predispose us to lung illnesses, people could be prone to develop lung disease if they are undernourished. How do we take care of our lungs in terms of nutrition?

It is interesting to note that there is currently no ideal or specific diet that would keep the pulmonary healthy. The only lung condition with a recommended and specific diet is for those acutely suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. People suffering from this disease tend to be malnourished because they use more of their energy as their respiratory muscles work a lot because of breathlessness.

To keep our lungs healthy, proper diet, good hydration, 6-8 hours of sleep, and no smoking are advised. Although there is no single, preferred food group that is ideal for lung health, knowing the best foods to eat is the key to getting the right mix of nutrients for your lungs. The following dietary practices consist proper nutrition:

- Fish, lean meat, poultry, or dried beans, as well as iron and zinc for protein and energy.

- Plenty of vegetables, fruits, and root crops for vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

- Use olive oil for cooking as it is a good source fat and provides additional dietary energy.

- Make milk and other food items rich in calcium and protein mainstays in your diet for bone and overall growth.

- Avoid excessive intake of fatty and salty foods as a hedge against hypertension, particularly among high-risk individuals.

The air we breath is becoming more and more contaminated making people’s goal of staying healthy more and more difficult too. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is the ‘contamination of the indoor and outdoor environment by any chemical, physical, or biological agent that modifies the natural characteristics of the atmosphere.’ These substances can impair health that can cause discomfort to humans, animals, and the environment.

As the new year begins, let us take our part in reducing air pollution. These acts could be low profile, but if done by every single person could contribute to massive enforcing of a clean and healthy air. Here are some simple tips that we could observe in cleaning up the air: (now that’s a new year’s resolution for the environment this time.)

Reduce what you throw. Remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Use fuel efficiently. Avoid using wood, charcoal or kerosene for cooking. Instead, use LPG or electricity.

Avoid burning waste like dried leaves. You could instead compost dead leaves which is good as fertilizer for your garden.

Use your engine responsibly. Use less energy by making sure that your vehicles comply with emission standards. Try also joining a carpool or commute when possible.

Conserve electricity. Turn off appliances or lights that are not being used.

Christmas is fast approaching! The cold air, colorful lights blazing brightly in the city, Christmas carols being played in the radio and almost everywhere, and the holiday shopping rush all tell us that indeed, the holiday season is in and it is the best time to celebrate and be merry. This season is also the best time to reunite with your family and friends through parties, gatherings, and reunions (the best reason also to renew relationships!). And with celebrations come the scrumptious menus exuding a feel that is oh so inviting it makes devouring food so heavenly. So before you head on to that next party or reunion, read on some easy tummy workout to help you beat the holiday bulge!

The Ab Tightener. Start by crunching up, your left knee bent at 90 degrees and your right leg hovering about 2-4 inches above the ground. Then raise your right leg so that it is perpendicular to the floor. Hold for a few seconds, then return the leg to its original hovering position. Do 10 on your right, keeping your shoulders off the floor throughout, then do 10 more on your left.

Plank with Knee Raise. Position in the basic plank, with your left leg lifted slightly and toes pointed. Tighten your tummy to bend your left leg, and lift the knee toward your armpit. The bent leg should be parallel to the floor, with the knee pointing to the side. Repeat 10 times on the other side, and switch to the other.

Each year, many people suffer from physical injuries severe enough to require a visit to the emergency room. The treatment needed for the injury depends on its severity and, in case of injuries resulting from sports, how active a patient wants to be in the future. The healthcare provider in charge can discuss the treatment options available for the patient.

Whether or not a patient needs surgery, using the appropriate medical diagnostic equipment is necessary to maximize the healing process of the injured part of the body. Sports, being the second leading cause of injury, can bring about injuries like stress fractures, kneecap pain and foot problems. This is specially true with high-risk sports like soccer, basketball, lacrosse and skiing. The appropriate medical diagnostic tools help spot areas needing aggressive therapy and it could also spare troublesome treatments. Medical tools such as scales, measuring devices, stethoscopes, heart rate monitors, hand dynamometers, muscle testing equipment and many more have to be obtained through a reputable and trustworthy medical equipment provider to make sure that the products are of high quality standard, effective and innovative at the same time.

Rehabilitation exercises are also important afterwards whether or not a patient undergoes a surgery. This procedure will help regain flexibility, reduce pain, and prevent arising problems in the future. The healthcare provider can show the best exercises or physical activity that a patient needs, and how long and how often they should be performed.

The world lost a visionary leader and an iconic legend in the industry of technology as Steve Jobs died Oct 5, Wednesday at age 56. Indeed, Steve Jobs changed the way all of us live and his contributions during his reign at the top of Apple with the company’s offering of iPod portable digital audio player in 2001, the iPhone headset in 2007, and the iPad tablet computer in 2010 will remain with his memory in all of us. He will also be always remembered with remarkable products like Apple II, the Mac, Pixar, and the Apple Store.

While Apple’s products continue to receive a very high acceptability and demand among consumers, Steve Jobs struggled with health concerns and was battling pancreatic cancer since 2004. What is pancreatic cancer and what is its cause?

The pancreas is a gland situated high in abdomen that produces most digestive enzymes and insulin that regulates blood sugar levels. It has 2 types of glands: the exocrine glands that produce enzymes that break down fats and proteins, and the endocrine glands that make hormones like insulin that regulate sugar in the blood. It was the tumor in endocrine glands that Steve Jobs battled with. Pancreatic cancer causes few symptoms in its early stages, the condition is often not diagnosed until the condition is relatively advanced and almost impossible to cure.

A diagnosis of the big C does not mean you need to put your life-or career- on hold specially during an early detection. If you or you know someone battling with pancreatic cancer or any other type of cancer, it is best to let let your family and friends know your situation as they can be an invaluable source of support. With medical advances today and with early detection of the cancer, we are given a greater fighting chance than ever before. But most of all, let us entrust that God is our ultimate healer and in His hands we lay down our lives. To the great man that we once had, we salute you and we thank you with all of our hearts, not only because of the great products you shared with the world, but by being a true inspiration of the spirit of an enduring human ingenuity.

The overwhelming need to take alcohol is indeed difficult to deal with accompanied by severe agitation and anger management issues. Convincing the person to follow a series of treatment is not easy as well. Rehab could be an unpleasant experience but letting the person suffering addiction know that it is a sickness that needs to be cured through the help of some treatment centers could be his/her deciding point.

An Alcohol Detox conducted by a trained personnel allows the body to rid itself of toxins and drug residues, thus eliminating the physical craving for the substance. Get help with a reliable rehab center to optimize the treatment of the an alcohol addict that will also specifically address the special needs and behavioral skills needed to live a life of sobriety. There is also an Inpatient Alcohol Treatment program that help the addict stay comfortably within home like comforts of the addiction therapy facility. This way an addict is being monitored by medical and nursing staff and away from stressful environment thus maximizing their treatment towards sobriety.

Through the assistance of treatment centers that offer a lot of conveniences and comfort to its patients make a much higher success rate in part because the patients leave with positive associations to being sober and clean. A Holistic Alcohol Treatment indeed allows an addict to be treated safely and carefully and eventually get the substances out of the addict’s system with the least amount of discomfort and risk.